Pick your own macarons or let Cecile Cannone choose six delicious macarons, then packaged in protective casing for a luxurious gift box to show that special someone you’re thinking of him or her, or yourself!

Assorted Macarons, $16.00 at Macaron Cafe

WHY…
* It’s sure pretty darn close to the Loveless Biscuit served in the Cafe.
* You can’t visit Loveless Cafe and experience for yourself the famous buttermilk biscuits that has made the Loveless Cafe a Nashville tradition since 1951.
* Made in USA.

WHERE… www.hamsandjams.com

WHAT… Loveless Cafe Old-Fashioned Blackberry Preserves… Back in 1951 Annie Loveless first cooked up a batch of these delicious preserves, and never stopped making them with the same time-honored recipe of just fruit, sugar and hours of cookin’ and stirrin’!

WHY…
* All natural Blackberry Preserves.
* Made with whole juicy Marion blackberries, pure cane sugar, and lots of love.
* Spread on biscuits, croissants, French bread, or use as a dessert topping or delicious glaze for pork, chicken and salmon.
* Made in USA.

WHERE… www.hamsandjams.com

WHAT… Ticings™ are thin gluten-free sheets of edible icing printed with contemporary designs using food-grade inks applied to fresh frosted cupcakes, cakes, cookies and brownies. Just peel and press to give your cakes and frosted desserts refine decorations in minutes!

WHY…
* Easy to use.
* Gluten-free.
* Ticings™ take on the flavor of the frosting on cake, brownie or cookie.
* Dot-free, photo-quality designs offer instant originality.
* Ticings™ have a smooth texture and are easy to cut or bite through.
* Made in USA.

WHERE… www.ticings.com

WHAT… Cold Molds™ pop molds

WHO… The Cold Molds™ line of flexible, silicone molds were originally developed by Russ L’Hommedieu, owner of “Pirate’s Cove Ice Cream”, in Southold, NY. Russ sold the Cold Molds™ company to Steve Reppucci, of Mad Maggie’s Ice Cream. Cold Molds™ now has the space to grow, along with a new owner who’s a fervent fan of the Cold Molds™ products, and ready to help other ice cream shop owners learn how the Cold Molds™ products can help them make their stores more profitable.

WHY…
* The large opening on the surface of these molds makes it easy to pour thick, creamy mixtures.
* Cold Molds™ are manufactured using pure silicon rubber, and are specially designed to freeze “soft” so that removing frozen cakes or popsicles are exceptionally easy!
* Cold Molds™ are practically indestructible. As long as you don’t cut or puncture them, you will find that they last forever. Long after you’ve tossed away those old metal molds that will dent, tarnish, break, etc, your Cold Molds™ will still look like new.

WHERE… www.coldmolds.com

Originally created in 2005, this magnificent Sugar Castle continually grows larger and more spectacular each year. Resembling a French Chateau, Chef Houdre was inspired while traveling around the southwestern region of France. The 100% edible castle is made of pastillage (a combination of powdered sugar, egg whites and gelatin dough), gingerbread, sugar, molasses, flour and candy. Weighing over 1200 pounds, this magical castle features more than 20 grand circular towers, approximately 30 rooms, illuminated windows, and is surrounded by a quaint village and a running train.

“The creation of the Sugar Castle is truly a labor of love,” says Chef Houdré. “Each year, I begin working on it two months in advance, adding more special touches and details each time. This year’s version promises to be the best yet!”

The inspiration to create this one-of-a-kind, grandiose Sugar Castle came from Chef Houdré’s trip to Europe with his family in 2005. While traveling around Bordeaux, the Houdré family visited many remarkable châteaux, particularly Mont Saint Michel and La Cité de Carcassonne, which is one of Europe’s most complete examples of a fortified abbey.

As the Houdré family toured these extravagant castles, his son Henri, age ten, and his daughter, Claudia, age eight, were able to experience an earlier time when royalty once occupied these magnificent castles centuries ago. From that experience, the children were able to convince their father that he must build a sugar castle at The Westin St. Francis to rival the royal castles in France and display it for children to visit during the holiday season.

So, after…70 pounds of gingerbread,
130 pounds of pastillage (Powder sugar egg white and gelatin dough),
40 pounds of pulled and bubble sugar,
Royal icing made of 300 pounds of sugar and egg whites,
40 pounds of molasses,
60 pounds of flour,
100 pounds of assorted Christmas Candy,
And, 360 hours of many, many, hard work…

Here’s it is…!!!

About The Westin St. Francis
Opened more than a century ago on March 21, 1904, The Westin St. Francis still today maintains its preeminence as San Francisco’s center of social, theatrical and business life. Renowned for luxury accommodations and excellent service, The Westin St. Francis continues to preserve its rich history and elegance while enhancing the guest experience with fresh, innovative concepts. The only hotel located on San Francisco’s famous Union Square, The Westin St. Francis is just steps from world class shopping, dining, theatres and art galleries. For reservations and more information, call (415) 397-7000, toll free (800) 917-7458 or visit www.westinstfrancis.com

Mashti Shirvani has been creating ice cream and sorbet with exotic flavors such Rosewater Saffron with Pistachios, Orange Blossom with Pistachios, Lavender, and their newest flavor, Herbal Snow. Don’t fret, if you’re not a big experimenter, flavors such as pomegranate, Turkish coffee and mango are available, as well as the Mashti, an ice cream sandwich made of paper-thin wafers. They also introduced a new line of antioxidant flavors: yum berry, sour cherry, black currant, acai berry, and goji berry. They use no preservatives, eggs, refined sugar or artificial colors and flavors in their ice cream. You can get online at www.mashtimalones.com or at their stores at 1525 N. La Brea Ave., in Los Angeles, CA; and, at 143 N Maryland Ave, Glendale, CA.